The Sickly Girl Becomes a Scum Alpha - Chapter 18

It took a while for Chu Ci’s fear to completely subside. Only then did she realize how awkward her current situation with Jian Sui was. She felt deeply embarrassed for having tackled her to the ground.

Her face flushed, she quickly sat up and pulled Jian Sui up as well. “I’m so sorry. I just—”

Jian Sui looked at Chu Ci’s apologetic and distant expression and felt a pang of discomfort. She preferred the emotional crying and the unrestrained hug from a moment ago, which felt… incredibly intimate.

Suppressing her chaotic feelings, she thought about the “thud” sound from earlier. She reached out and cupped the back of Chu Ci’s head. “Did you hurt yourself when you hit the floor? Let me see.”

Chu Ci, who was still trying to apologize, was caught completely off guard by the sudden change in topic. She obediently lowered her head and leaned toward Jian Sui.

The light was dim, and Chu Ci’s hair was black, making it hard to see anything. Jian Sui cautiously reached out to touch, the fine, silky hair tangling around her fingertips, tickling her slightly.

“Hiss!”

Chu Ci couldn’t help but gasp when Jian Sui’s finger touched a swollen area.

“Did I hurt you?” Jian Sui quickly withdrew her hand, then touched the spot even more gently. Her brow furrowed when she felt a large, swollen lump. Her heart constricted as if pricked by a needle. Chu Ci is so delicate. This must hurt for days.

[Ding! Torment and Abuse progress +1! The current score is 3/100. Host, please keep up the good work!]

The system’s notification rang in Chu Ci’s mind again, causing her eyes to widen slightly. Is it really this simple?

The system’s electronic voice sounded excited.

[I get it! I finally understand how to trigger this bug! When you are in the same space as Jian Sui, your injuries are mistakenly counted as Jian Sui’s injuries, especially when you show the specific injury to Jian Sui. That will trigger the bug 100% of the time, fulfilling the Torment and Abuse requirement!]

Chu Ci was suddenly enlightened. So that’s how it works!

She had been discussing with the system how to test the bug’s trigger conditions. She hadn’t found a chance before, but this accidental discovery had proven it. That was definitely it.

If this was the case, didn’t that make things incredibly easy?

Chu Ci suddenly had hope for the future. Although she couldn’t bring herself to abuse Jian Sui, trading her own injuries for survival was an absolutely brilliant deal!

The system and Chu Ci were happier than if it were the New Year.

The conversation was instantaneous. With her mind clear, the shock of the fright was replaced by this exciting surprise. Chu Ci was instantly energized. She stood up, extending her hand to Jian Sui. “I’m fine, it doesn’t hurt anymore. Come on, get up!”

Jian Sui looked at Chu Ci, who was smiling brightly despite the lingering tear tracks and red eyes. Her heart melted. She had been crying from the pain just now, and now she was trying to comfort Jian Sui…

She took Chu Ci’s hand and used her help to stand up. “Shouldn’t we go to the hospital?”

“It’s nothing serious. Just a small bump. I was just scared because the door wouldn’t open.”

Chu Ci waved her hands frantically, not wanting Jian Sui to worry, but unexpectedly, the tears that had been held back in her eyes suddenly spilled out. It was awkward.

She quickly wiped away the tears, smiling at Jian Sui. “I’m really fine.”

Jian Sui looked at Chu Ci, who was crying but still insisted she was fine, and reluctantly nodded, feeling even more heartbroken.

Chu Ci was about to head out when she suddenly remembered why she was here. She turned, looking hesitantly at Jian Sui. “My clothes…”

“Here they are. I hope you like them.”

Jian Sui handed the bag she had nearly forgotten to Chu Ci. “You go change. I’ll wait outside the door.”

Chu Ci looked at the door, which was about to close again. She was starting to develop a psychological trauma. “That door…”

“Clack!”

Jian Sui reached out and turned on the main light. The previously dim, suggestive lighting was immediately replaced by bright, clear light.

“The door is slightly ajar. I’ll be right outside.”

Watching Jian Sui leave, Chu Ci felt like she was looking at an angel. Even an angel couldn’t be kinder than this!

She was moved to tears.

Once her emotion subsided, Chu Ci opened the clothing bag, changed her clothes, and looked in the full-length mirror. The white dress was simple but elegant, the size was perfect, and it had a faint camellia pattern woven into it that was subtly visible under the light.

She leaned into the mirror to look at her tear-streaked face. Chu Ci felt a little embarrassed and quickly washed her face. She noticed her lips were a somewhat unnatural red but didn’t think much of it. Since she couldn’t find a towel, she shook her hands dry and walked out.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

She opened the door and greeted Jian Sui.

Jian Sui, who had been deep in thought, turned around and saw Chu Ci emerging from the room. Droplets of water clung to her face, her bangs were damp, and her lips were a vibrant, tempting red.

A hibiscus rising from clear water.

A sudden thought popped into her head. Jian Sui quickly cleared her throat to interrupt her inappropriate thoughts and looked at the tiles beside her. “Let’s go back.”

“Okay. The food is probably cold now.”

Chu Ci felt embarrassed. This meal had been nothing but chaotic.

“It’s fine.”

Jian Sui’s mind was completely focused on anything but the food.

When the two walked back into the private room, Cao Xi and Zhao Rong’s eyes were like searchlights, sweeping up and down at them, finally settling on Chu Ci’s lips.

Feeling uncomfortable under their stare, Chu Ci sat down and grabbed her water glass, hiding her face behind it while drinking.

When the two turned their attention to Jian Sui’s lips, Chu Ci realized something was wrong. “What are you two looking at?”

“You two…”

Zhao Rong was about to speak, but Cao Xi quickly shoved a glass of wine to her mouth. “You two were gone too long. Rongrong and I hit it off so well we’ve almost finished a bottle of wine. The food has been reheated once.”

“Rongrong?” Jian Sui zeroed in on the detail, looking at the two.

Zhao Rong was visibly embarrassed by the overly intimate address but didn’t openly object. She just covered her slightly flushed face by taking a drink.

Chu Ci’s internal alarm bells went off. She couldn’t believe how potent Cao Xi’s “venom” was. In the short time they were gone, she was already calling her “Rongrong”?

Only Cao Xi looked completely natural, effortlessly controlling the scene. When dinner was over, she even tried to invite Zhao Rong and Jian Sui to go out to another club for some fun.

Chu Ci, immediately sensing trouble, secretly kicked Cao Xi under the table, reminding her to stop. The four of them finally parted ways.

It was dark outside, and the city lights were on. Chu Ci and Cao Xi watched Jian Sui and Zhao Rong get into their car. Zhao Rong, having had too much to drink, sat in the passenger seat. Jian Sui paused before getting into the car, looking at Chu Ci with an expression of hesitation.

Chu Ci hadn’t figured out what was going on when Cao Xi put her hand on Chu Ci’s shoulder and said to Jian Sui, “Don’t worry, Sis. I’ll make sure Chu Ci is home after one more club stop. No later than ten.”

Chu Ci, who had just been sold out, didn’t even have time to react before Jian Sui got into the car, holding the door.

Cao Xi bent down and spoke through the lowered window to Zhao Rong and Jian Sui. “Next time, you definitely have to come play with us! Chu Ci will reserve the whole place.”

Zhao Rong nodded. Jian Sui looked at Chu Ci with a worried expression and instructed her, “Don’t let her drink. She can’t drink alcohol.”

“I’ll supervise her. Don’t worry, Sis. Drive safely!”

Cao Xi agreed immediately, giving Chu Ci no chance to speak, and waved them off.

Watching the taillights disappear into the traffic, Chu Ci immediately turned to face Cao Xi.

She realized she had completely underestimated Cao Xi’s talent! In the course of one meal, Zhao Rong went from “Miss Zhao” to “Rongrong,” and Jian Sui went from “Miss Jian” to “Sis.” The intimate addresses were so smoothly done that they had jumped from strangers to relatives without Chu Ci even noticing the speed!

Of course, that wasn’t the main issue. The main issue was that Chu Ci had a debt to settle with Cao Xi, both old and new.

“You’d better—”

“Wait, let’s talk upstairs.”

Cao Xi pulled Chu Ci back. It turned out the “club” she was talking about was on the upper floors of the same building. Besides the ground floors for legitimate dining and shopping, the upper floors were where the real action was.

They took the elevator, swiping a special card to access an even higher floor. As soon as they stepped out, the whole world changed.

This floor was filled with beautiful people, fine liquor, flashing lights, and deafening noise, creating an atmosphere of unbridled desire.

Chu Ci’s head, which was already throbbing from the earlier bump, could now feel every vein pounding. She turned to leave, but Cao Xi grabbed her and pulled her into a room.

The door shut, and the world went silent.

It had to be said that the soundproofing in this building was impressive. Chu Ci immediately thought of the door that no one could hear her banging on earlier.

“Are you trying to murder me?”

“Huh?” Cao Xi looked confused.

“What kind of room was that? I went in and got locked in!”

Chu Ci was furious. In that short time, she had relived all the horror stories of her two lifetimes!

Cao Xi looked baffled. “Locked in? The room card was right on the table. You know, when adults are doing things like that, it’s easy to get carried away and forget to lock the door. So I had the function customized for it to lock automatically. That way, no one performs a live show by forgetting to lock the door.”

Chu Ci: “…”

“Then why was there no signal?”

“Adult games are often interrupted by outside messages and calls. Turning off the phone wastes time and interrupts the mood, so I just set up a signal blocker. Besides, wasn’t there a desk phone on the table? You could still communicate with the outside world.”

Chu Ci: “………………”

“And you designed the door so that knocking from the inside can’t be heard?”

“Of course. Adults sometimes have little quirks. To avoid disturbing others, I had the entire room built as a soundproofed space. When playing role-playing games, whether you scream your lungs out or struggle fiercely, you can release yourself completely without worrying about being misunderstood by people outside, which would interrupt the fun.”

Chu Ci: “………………………….”

Bullshit adults!

She now strongly suspected that Cao Xi’s brain was made entirely of trashy content. She was an adult, too. Why couldn’t she understand any of this?!

Or rather, who besides Cao Xi would understand any of this?!

Too speechless to speak, Chu Ci pointed at Cao Xi, unable to form a coherent word.

Cao Xi finally understood what was happening. She wore a knowing expression, and just to rub it in, she added, “Well? In my room, even with all that kissing, did anyone disturb you?”

“That’s crap! What kissing? What are you talking about?!”

Chu Ci instantly exploded. How could she just make up rumors like that?!

“You’re denying it? Look in the mirror. Tsk, tsk, tsk. I’m telling you, Jian Sui’s lips don’t have a single mark on them. Is it because you’re impotent? I didn’t see that coming. It looks like Jian Sui is the dominant one between you two, and you… Ugh!”

Cao Xi’s words were cut off as Chu Ci clamped her hand over her mouth. Her eyes widened in horror.

Chu Ci pointed at her own lips with her free hand. “You all think I got this from kissing?”

Cao Xi struggled free of Chu Ci’s hand. “What else? Did you bite yourself?”

Chu Ci: …Not exactly, but yes.

But none of that mattered now. Chu Ci collapsed back onto the sofa. Luckily, only Cao Xi and Zhao Rong had seen this today, or she would never be able to clear her name.

Wait. In other people’s eyes, this doesn’t even need to be cleared!

What is my life?!

“Why the sad face? Let’s forget that for now. Qian Quan and the others are coming soon. You’ve seen the proposal. You know what to do, right?”

Cao Xi got serious. Chu Ci also instinctively sat up, then leaned back again, but there was a serious look in her eyes. She nodded to show she understood.

It didn’t take ten minutes before the room door opened. Qian Quan and a group of people poured in. Fortunately, the room was large enough to accommodate them all.

Since this was a business meeting, everyone looked much more serious than before.

Qian Quan glanced at Chu Ci and smiled suggestively. “We haven’t even arrived yet, and you two have already finished a round?”

Before Chu Ci could speak, Cao Xi rolled her eyes at Qian Quan. “What are you talking about? Jian Sui just left. Our Chu Ci is not the same trash as you guys, okay?”

She just keeps spreading rumors!

Chu Ci had just been relieved that not many people had misunderstood the situation, but now everyone would know. If the rumor reached Jian Sui’s ears, it would look like she was deliberately slandering her character!

But faced with the looks of sudden realization on everyone’s faces, Chu Ci had no way to explain. She just gave up, sinking into the corner of the sofa with a pillow. She could only pray that this group wouldn’t be so gossipy as to spread the word to Jian Sui!